“Family is why he did everything he did. Nothing meant more to him than you and your brother and your mother. He didn’t care what lengths he had to go to in order to make sure you were taken care of. And you know me—I never had a family of my own. You and your brother have been the closest thing to it.
“Before he passed, he made me swear to him that I would look after you both, make sure you were taken care of, that you’d be able to start families of your own someday.”
I spoke up. “Anton, I knew my father. And I’m not him.”
“You’re more like him than you realize. You’re both brilliant, both driven, both ambitious. And both of you would do whatever it takes to get what you want.”
“Then you know what I want.”
He sighed. “Jason, you can’t close down my division.”
“And why’s that?’
“Because it’s the most profitable part of Ryder. It’s where our money comes from, it’s where our power comes from. And it’s where our respect comes from. If it weren’t for our… dealings, we’d be nothing more than another financial firm among many, a big piece of bait ready to get gobbled up by one of the bigger fish.”
“Not if I have the chance to focus on the legal side of the company—investments with aboveboard clients. I’ve already increased profits tenfold since I’ve been in charge.”
“And that’s still nothing compared to what I and Scott bring in. You’re screwing around, Jason. Every moment you spend dilly-dallying in the legal side is a moment wasted. We only opened that division in order to give cover for the real moneymaker of Ryder—and that’s what I do.”
I shook my head. “You know it’s only a matter of time before the law comes knocking.”
“Please.” He waved his hand dismissively. “You don’t think I already have that covered? Trust me, we’ve got everyone we need in the city in our pocket. No one would dream of touching us. And even if some do-gooder did get it in his head to try something, we’d make sure he didn’t get far.”
“And that’s what I’m talking about. What would you do? Make him ‘sleep with the fishes’?”
“Sleep with the fishes.” He scoffed. “You’ve seen too many movies. But no. Most people crack long before we have to resort to such extreme measures. A simple folder filled with photos of his or her family usually does the job.”
“There it is again.” My voice had an edge to it. “Threatening, killing—that’s not what I want this company to be involved with. And it won’t be when I’m done with it.”
Anton clenched his jaw. I’d known him for long enough to know it was his tell for when he was about to lose his cool.
“You’re on the verge of making a huge mistake,” he said. “And more than that, it’s one you’re not going to be able to make.”
“And why’s that?”
“Jason, you have no idea what kind of people run in the circles I do. If you wanted to separate from that world, it wouldn’t be a matter of putting in a notice of resignation or some such bullshit. You tell those people that you want to end business, and they’re not going to take it lightly.”
“You’re saying they’d come for me.”
“That’s right. And they’d probably come for Willa.”
My eyes narrowed, and anger boiled inside me. I wanted to pitch my drink in his direction for talking about her like that.
“I can see how angry you’re getting. But you know I’m right. You’re in too deep, Jason. I don’t know what you had in mind when you became CEO, but if you really think you can simply get out, then you’ve got another thing coming.”
“Well, get ready for some big changes, Anton, because that’s exactly what’s going to happen. As you know, I told Scott to sever our ties with the illegal element of the company. I know what the risks are, and I’m prepared to take them.”
“I don’t think you are,” he said. “Remember what I said about Willa.”
“You knew my father, and you knew he’d go to whatever length necessary to protect his family. I’m willing to do the same.”
“Big words, of course. And easy to say when you don’t have every mobster with a grudge breathing down your neck. You start breaking away from the business, and they’re going to smell weakness. And as soon as they smell weakness, they’re going to pounce. You’re not ready for the flood that’s coming, Jason.”
“I’m ready. And nothing’s going to stand in my way—no one is going to stand in my way.”
Anton said nothing. He brought his drink to his lips, his eyes on the fire.
“I hear you have a new hire.”